Navajo Late Classic Manta Shoulder Blanket

ca 1875-1880

41" x 52"
With a mix of yarns, Plied and hand spun; Germantown, Raveled, Aniline dyes and indigo. General wear with some fading and light discolorations and edge wear; Overall in Very Good Condition
January 28, 2023
Provenance of JN Butler Collection

The Janet Nelson Butler Collection was developed by her great-uncle Edward William (E.W.) Nelson (1855-1934). The Wikipedia page on E.W. Nelson states that he was an American naturalist and ethnologist. Initially Mr. Nelson’s research was in Alaska. However, he developed tuberculosis and relocated to the American Southwest in 1890. His studies ranged from Death Valley to Mexico. The Smithsonian Institution houses his collection of artifacts from the Alaska expeditions.
Family oral history as related by Janet was that that many parts of the Indian Collection were pawned items purchased at trading posts by E.W. Nelson, while some items may have been purchased by his brother F.W. Nelson.
E.W. Nelson never married and had no children. Upon his death, his collections passed to R. Leiland Nelson, the only child of his only sibling. Upon the death of R. Leiland Nelson’s wife, their sole surviving child Janet Nelson Butler received the collection. Janet Nelson Butler passed away in 2022 and had no children.